Industrial Minerals

Features

• India enters a deciding decade August 2010

  After designing a symbol for the rupee, India has joined the ranks of only a handful of countries with a currency icon. This is in preparation for the ten years in which, the country believes, it will become an economic superpower. The mining industry, including refractory and white minerals, is central to this plan Read More

• New dawn for fluorine refrigerants August 2010

  With the phase-out of HFC-134a from mobile air conditioning under way, western chemical producers are pioneering a new range of fluorine refrigerants vying to fill their predecessor’s role Read More

• The winds of change August 2010

  The new generation of alternative power sources are providing attractive prospects for industrial mineral applications. Despite the recession, and against expectations, the photovoltaic and wind power sectors grew significantly in 2009, a trend that is expected to continue through 2014 Read More

• The Lithium Supplement 2010: Talison August 2010

  Last month’s lithium merger between Talison Minerals Pty Ltd and Salares Lithium Inc. was met with a bout of surprise. But while the immediate short term challenges seem significant, on longer term the move makes sense Read More

• The Lithium Supplement 2010: Oilfield brine August 2010

  Gerry Clarke reviews Alberta’s oilfield brine potential as a new and different lithium resource that has quietly emerged over the last two years. While the gas companies serve up waste brine containing anomalous lithium values, its future as a resource is critically dependent on processing advances and, ironically, the continuing success of the province’s oil and gas industry and, of course, demand Read More

• The Lithium Supplement 2010: China review August 2010

  Robert Baylis of Roskill Information Services on how brine and mineral convertor expansions in China are preparing for an increase in battery grade lithium demand Read More

• The Lithium Supplement 2010: Afghanistan August 2010

  While Afghanistan’s mineral wealth is undoubtedly huge, a review of the country’s lithium resources shows that the Pentagon has spoken too soon on its potential to be the new “Saudi Arabia of lithium” Read More

• The Lithium Supplement 2010: FMC expands August 2010

  With the expansion of its brine operation in Argentina secured, FMC Lithium shifts its strategy to quality as it reacts to the needs of cathode manufacturers Read More

• The Lithium Supplement 2010: Galaxy Resources August 2010

  Galaxy Resources has led the pack of lithium developers with its Mt Cattlin spodumene mine in Western Australia and its Jiangsu lithium carbonate plant in China. Managing director, Iggy Tan speaks with IM on the company’s progress as it closes in on production start-up Read More

• The Lithium Supplement 2010: Electric vehicles August 2010

  Seth Fletcher makes a case that, while much could still go wrong, in political, economical and technological terms the world appears ready for the electric vehicles that will transform lithium from obscurity to a commodity Read More

• The Lithium Supplement 2010: Reed Resources August 2010

  IM talks with Chris Reed, managing director of Reed Resources Ltd, on its Mt Marion spodumene project, establishing a lithium carbonate plant in Asia, and supply-side competition Read More

• Pharma-minerals focus August 2010

  The versatility of non-metallic minerals ensures they remain central to pharmaceuticals developments Read More

• The bright side of graphite July 2010

  After a difficult 2009, graphite is starting to recover thanks to promising new applications, with opportunities in Africa, Canada and Australia for raw material Read More

• Foundries fire up a gear July 2010

  Automotive markets are giving foundries the drive they need to recover from recession, but western foundries will have to tap into specialised products to compete with developing countries’ heavy industries Read More

• Logistics in the 21st century July 2010

  The evolution of Goldenboat Holding and its expanding minerals business has underlined the importance of partner alliances in modern logistics, pioneering new concepts in shipping, and developing new IT systems Read More

• Set for heavy loads July 2010

  Mineral fillers keep pace with plastic product requirements as demand grows, including applications with higher loadings Read More

• RE SPECIAL: Shock & Ore June 2010

  Fears of a supply shortage outside China have triggered a global rush to develop alternative sources of rare earth elements, critical to defence and clean energy technology. Mark Watts looks at the sweeping changes facing the industry. Read More

• RE SPECIAL: Minerals for the digital age June 2010

  How heavy and light rare earth elements (REE) are fundamental to today’s most advance technology markets Read More

• RE SPECIAL: Earth, wind & fire June 2010

  From wind turbines to missiles, rare earth based magnets can been seen as strategic in many ways. But why are they so special? Can they be replaced? And does the magnet industry have an over-reliance on a product derived from a source controlled by China and on the verge of a supply crisis? Simon Moores talked with Gareth Hatch of Technology Metals Research, LLC to find out Read More

• Peninsula prospects June 2010

  Although there remain challenges, an abundance of untapped mineral deposits, increasing demand, and clear political will and support to develop the mineral sector has brought the Arabian Peninsula under the investor spotlight Read More

• Between the linings June 2010

  Refractory producers are continuously challenged to improve their products used in rotary cement kilns, a key demand driver for refractory minerals such as dolomite or magnesia, which is on the way to recovery Read More

• Soda ash survival June 2010

  The global downturn caused the soda ash market to crash from an all time high. Roger Pechey reviews what happened and suggests the emerging period of recovery might force some uncomfortable restructuring in the supply sector Read More

• END USER FOCUS: Perfecting paper loading June 2010

  GCC, presently the most widely used mineral filler in paper production, looks set to increase its paper market share now that modern paper machines can handle over 50% mineral loading Read More